Australian MPs visit Taiwan hope for peace ‘Indo-Pacific’ PM refuses to join trip

Australian MPs visit Taiwan hope for peace ‘Indo-Pacific’ PM refuses to join trip

Reuters reported on December 3, quoting the Australian newspaper, that Members of the House of Representatives (MPs) of Australia would begin a five-day visit to Taiwan on December 4 with the hope of maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

by an expedition made up of government representatives such as the Australian Labor Party and the opposition, such as the Liberal Party Alliance and the National Party. It will be the first visit by an Australian MP to Taiwan since 2019.

MPs travel to Australia this time This was reportedly kept secret to prevent Chinese diplomats in Caberra from lobbying to stop it. He will include meetings with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. He has also received support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will talk about security, trade, agriculture and indigenous affairs.

However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese He said today (December 3) that he has not joined this trip to Taiwan with a group of Australian politicians. He also said This trip is a level visit. “Members who do not hold important positions” and not visits organized by the government.

“The bipartisan position is still there. when it comes to China and when it comes to upholding the Taiwan status quo,” Albanese said.

However, Albanese met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On the sidelines of the last G20 summit in Indonesia, This raises expectations that bilateral relations between the two countries may improve.